Community Forums

Lstyles · 10-28-2018, 11:40 AM

Considering a lite weight 5th wheel and was just wondering what kind of roads/tracks are possible to safely travel over with a 5th wheel attached? How does that compare to a regular bumper pull trailer? I am guessing that really rough roads would be out as that would put too much strain on the pin attachment to the truck bed. I’m a total novice when it comes to 5th wheels so appreciate the help so I don’t end up ruining truck and/or trailer!
Thanks
Lori

Old-Biscuit · 10-28-2018, 11:54 AM

Issue you will encounter is truck bed clearance and 5th wheel overhang

Truck off level one direction and 5th wheel going the other direction ends up with 5vr overhang making contact with truck bed rail

I have 7" of bed rail clearance and have come close to making contact from some off chamber transitions.

You can go off-road just take it slow BUT you can NOT go 4 wheeling.
So if 'road' will cause truck to jack back/forth it is WAY too much for dragging 5th wheel along

Bumper pull is more compatible for off-roading
Bumper pull is behind truck and rotating on the ball

MtCamper · 10-28-2018, 06:40 PM

As a rule light weight=smaller components. Not the big beefy ones needed for off-road travel for sure. Off-road isn't just a gravel road. Off road is one rutted lane with obstacles.

5001craig · 10-28-2018, 07:36 PM

Truck bed clearance comes to mind. Anything can work but it takes planning and $$.

This pic was found on the interweb...

egwilly · 10-28-2018, 08:03 PM

Depending on your truck and hitch, the trailer's pin box comes to mind. There is a point you can over-stress the pin box and welds will fail. This is bad.

Large rolling hump and bumps are one thing, potholes and very uneven dirt roads are another. Slow and easy is the best.

Another consideration is, where does the trail lead? Can you make all the turns pulling a trailer? How about turnouts in case you meet someone coming the opposite direction? Can you backup long distances? Google Satellite pics are your friend here.

Your best judgment will guide you....it won't feel right if the road isn't right.

Lstyles · 10-29-2018, 09:05 AM

Thanks for all the comments...I had not considered the issue with the bed rails. Seems like pothole and going too fast are to be avoided but a gravel road without holes would be okay. Also a good point about being able to turn around or back up once you are there!

mrgrayaz · 10-29-2018, 11:01 AM

Forest roads, gravel roads are usually just fine. You do need to watch for bed rail clearance (I've touched a few times) in large divots or washes and general vibration and harshness. No point in vibrating the trailer to pieces right?

The big issues I've found is tree clearance on some forest roads, or cactus clearance on Desert roads, and a place to turn around.

It pays to drop the trailer and use the truck to explore and find that perfect spot - and again, wide open dirt/gravel roads fine, anything rutted that you wouldn't take your commuter sedan on, not so much. I struggle with this as I was an avid 4x4 car camper before I got into 5th wheels - basically if it didn't require 4low to get there, I wasn't interested in being there.
Now - with a big 1 ton and a 5th wheel, I just want smooth and easy....

mrgrayaz · 10-29-2018, 11:05 AM

Three pictures:

First picture: Forest road in Flagstaff AZ - this is about as "offroad" as you want. Nice,open, wide, graded, dirt road. Easy turn around, plenty of room.

Second and Third Picture: Unimproved road on the way to a campsite in New Mexico. This one was a bad idea. Road was narrow, Not enough room to turn around, lots of time spent avoiding cactus and Arizona pin stripes. It probably took me an hour plus to get out of this site with all 8 tires intact and no plant/cactus body scrapes. Also a WICKED washed out cattle guard, that I touched my bedrails to the trailer on (notice the cows just walked around the washed out cattle guard...)

Also...cows....

Mr_D · 10-29-2018, 11:18 AM

Seems like the answer is the same as with a motorhome. You can as far as you can, till you can't.

Lstyles · 10-29-2018, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the visuals! On the bottom photo the road doesn’t look so bad but it’s narrow with lots of potential cactus scratches as you say. I hadn’t considered those aspects of going off road...better to learn from here than (bad) real world experience!

mtofell · 11-01-2018, 10:10 PM

I definitely agree that bed rail clearance is one of the most important factors. Clearance at the rear bumper is also important. I have 8" of rail clearance and have had my 35' 5th wheel in some pretty rugged spots. Worst thing that ever happened is I ripped a jack and the spare tire off the back. I knew it was close and I had a friend/spotter standing by.... silently as I did said damage

Every 5th is different and every truck/5th setup has a different amount of rail clearance so a lot depends on your setup.